The unit is coordinated by Dr. María José Peiró, a family medicine specialist with more than 10 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Master in Nutrition and Dietetics.
one in four smokers will develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,A lung respiratory disease This can cause severe disability and have a large impact on quality of life.
yes silentbecause it appears slowly and without noticeable symptoms in its initial stages, which is why it is often diagnosed at an advanced age, when the damage has already been done.
Quitting smoking as soon as possible is the first step to quit smoking prevent itas well as having regular lung exams, especially if you smoke, and following certain healthy habits thereby reducing the chance of contracting the disease.
What are the first symptoms of COPD?
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease It blocks the flow of air in the lungs and is caused by two conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.. In the first case, the alveoli (small air sacs at the ends of the bronchi) are destroyed, in the second, the bronchi become inflamed and narrowed. You may have one or both of these, which are the most common.
They appear gradually, and the first warning signs are difficulty breathing, a chronic cough, and a lot of mucus.. Shortness of breath can become more severe over time, starting with shortness of breath during physical exercise and reaching extreme fatigue during daily activities such as showering or getting dressed.
Other warning signs are Wheezing, chest tightness, frequent respiratory infections, unexplained fatigue, leg swelling due to heart failure, even lose weight important.
What is the cause of COPD?
this root cause The development of COPD is smokes (active and passive), so the best way to prevent this pathology is to quit smoking as soon as possible and avoid exposure to smoke.
The Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery warns, developmental disease The prevalence of COPD increases with longer exposure to tobacco, indicating that the prevalence of COPD among 40-year-old smokers is lower than that among 60-year-old smokers.
so, Breaking this bad habit as quickly as possible is crucial to preventing it from occurring. Additionally, there are other risk factors that can influence the development of this condition.
Zero tobacco. Exposure to smoke, whether active in its various forms (cigarettes, rolls, e-cigarettes, etc.) or passive, is a major trigger.
environmental pollution
this Air pollution and occupational exposure to irritants Chemical vapors or gases, and even dust, can clog our lungs and can cause chronic respiratory disease, which is why using protective gear is crucial.
past infection history
If they suffer from this condition repeatedly during childhood, they may be susceptible to COPD in the future.It is very important that those most vulnerable to the disease and those diagnosed with COPD Get influenza vaccine every year and pneumococcal vaccine every five yearsA bacteria linked to many lung infections that can worsen airway obstructions.
How to control COPD?
As with any pathology, maintaining healthy habits in terms of diet and exercise not only helps prevent the onset of COPD; Limit your symptoms and improve quality of life Affected people.
protective food
The right nutrition can boost our immunity possible infection, in addition to preventing conditions that may complicate obstructive disease. Food, on the other hand, provides us with energy, and people with COPD need ten times more calories than healthy people to perform certain activities.
so you have to follow balanced dietwhich includes all categories of food (fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, fiber, protein, etc.), avoiding those that have little nutritional value or that cause gas or a feeling of heaviness, and limiting salt and beverage intake with coffee because.
controlled movement
he Exercise can increase our lung capacity, Therefore, milder aerobic exercise is recommended, e.g. Walk, As well as daily breathing exercises and exercises to strengthen upper body muscles, such as lifting weights.all of them Improve breathing and quality of life in people with lung disease.
Breathing exercises. Any activity that improves breathing can help increase lung capacity and relieve many symptoms.
Good Habits to Ease COPD Discomfort
Get proper rest
Try to always go to bed at the same time and do something before bed quiet activities Relax. If you find it difficult to breathe at night, add a pillow to your bed to blend in your sleep a little.
watch your weight
he overweight It worsens COPD by making it difficult to breathe, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, or coronary heart disease. On the other hand, being underweight can leave your body lacking energy and your immune system weak.
stay away from stress
The daily limitations of chronic lung disease often lead to anxiety state, causing difficulty breathing. Medications that work against them may have counterproductive effects on respiratory function.
stay hydrated
Consistent fluid intake helps clear excess mucus caused by COPD.
adapt
Instead of making unnecessary efforts, you have to integrate new habits into your current state of health without forcing them.
The most effective treatment to stop COPD
he Early diagnosis is key to fighting COPDso smokers should take it from the age of 40 Spirometry Measure your respiratory function and detect chronic airway obstruction. From this, the expert will prescribe the best treatment plan.
drug
The most common is Bronchodilators, inhalers that relax and open the bronchial tubesto promote the passage of oxygen, and also inhaled steroids to reduce airway inflammation.
respiratory rehabilitation
The purpose of this therapy is Teach how to drive correctly Improve breathlessness, effort capacity and quality of life of those affected through programs such as physical training, nutritional advice and psychological support.
oxygen treatment
In COPD patients who are in the advanced stages of the disease or whose blood oxygen levels are very low, it may be necessary to use oxygen at home through a nasal tube or mask.
This can also be arranged in a portable manner to allow people with COPD to carry out activities outside the home.This treatment can relieve most symptoms Improve body and breathing ability patient’s.
Surgery
Surgical treatment is rarely used, only in very special cases and only when other measures have been unsuccessful.The most commonly used techniques are lung volume reduction surgeryused to improve breathing in some patients with severe emphysema or lung transplants.